Family & Community Students & Families
Moving Ahead - Pathways to Success on the MCAS

You CAN Make it Happen!

We all take different paths to reach our goals. At every turn, there are new choices and new experiences that can help you get there. But to keep your future bright, you need to know what your options are and choose what's right for you.

If you haven't passed the English language arts and/or mathematics portion of the MCAS exam, or are in the class of 2010 or younger and have scored below the proficiency level, there are ways you can get help to prepare for the future. Programs are in place across the state to help you pass the MCAS and become ready for college and a career.

This Web site was designed to give you details on each of the programs and services available across the state (at no cost to you) to help guide you in your educational and professional pursuits. Contact your guidance counselor or the Department (see #9 below) for information regarding specific opportunities in your area.

The links below provide information about 2007-2008 school year and summer programs (click on the underlined words below to get to the additional information).

1. High School Programs
   Before taking the MCAS 10th grade test or retest, we strongly urge you to prepare yourself by participating in English Language Arts and/or Mathematics classes or programs offered during the fall, winter, spring, and/or summer. Programs for students in the Classes of 2003-2011 may be available in your school during the day, after school, Saturdays, or during summer or school breaks. Some summer programs will also serve students from the class of 2012. For students who have taken the grade 10 MCAS tests three times and have not achieved a passing score, an MCAS performance appeal may be a suitable pathway. Speak with a teacher or guidance counselor for more information.

2. Community College Programs
   Contact participating community colleges to find out about courses for students from the Classes of 2003-2009. These programs are free to you (like all Department-funded Academic Support programs). They can help you prepare for the MCAS retests. And they can help you prepare for higher education too! At some campuses, you may even be able to begin working towards an Associate's Degree by taking college credit classes at the same time.

3. One Stop Career Center Initiative Centers
   Theses centers are open for students in the Classes of 2003-2008 who are unsure of what your next steps should be. Trained coordinators at participating centers can aid you in identifying all of your options and in locating resources.

4. Work & Learning Programs
   Contact programs that offer opportunities in local communities and regions to students in the Classes of 2003-2009. (A link to summer 2007 programs will be posted in October 2006). Community partners and schools collaborate with local businesses to provide programs designed to help students prepare for both the MCAS tests and the world of work.

5. Trade Programs
   You can begin working in a trade without a high school diploma. But to advance in that trade - for example to become a supervisor or own a business - you are likely to need to earn a high school diploma.

6. Armed Forces
   Contact your local recruiting center for specific details regarding requirements for entry. In general, the Services require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (i.e., a green card if a non-citizen), a high school diploma or equivalent, good health, and minimum scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). These are general guidelines, and they can-and do-vary by service. To be 100 percent sure, discuss these details with a recruiter.

7. Self Study
   In addition to or instead of the above programs, you can study on your own or with others. To assist with this, the questions from previous MCAS tests and retests are posted on the Department's MCAS pages.

8. MCAS Test Taking Opportunities
   MCAS retests are generally offered during the fall (November) and spring (March). Contact your current or most recent guidance counselor or high school principal for more information or to register for the retest.

9. Any questions?
   Visit the Academic Support web site for more information, ask your guidance counselor, or contact the Department via email (achievement@doe.mass.edu) or phone (1-866-MCAS220 for information about the MCAS, or 781-338-3322 for information about Academic Support Programs).